Realizing their potential combined influence, the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association announced they are teaming up for a joint Hill day this week.

Taking place April 14-15, 1,000 stakeholders from both industries will help raise awareness among lawmakers about issues affecting the lodging and restaurant trades. They will also shed light on the opportunities the hospitality industry creates for the economy.

“We are excited to join forces with AH&LA as we promote our industries of opportunity and look forward to sharing our story with Capitol Hill and beyond,” Dawn Sweeney, NRA president and CEO, said in a statement.

During the NRA’s Public Affairs Conference and AH&LA’s Legislative Summit, the two organizations will be focusing on issues such as the need for reforms to the Affordable Care Act, protecting the franchise model, and enacting other pro-business policies to promote job growth.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will also address attendees during a joint session.

“This year’s Legislative Action Summit promises to be a dynamic opportunity that allows hoteliers and employees to speak directly to lawmakers, tell our story of success and urge them to support smart policies that foster economic development,” AH&LA President and CEO Katherine Lugar said. “From much-needed fixes in the Affordable Care Act to increasing the government’s role in promoting travel and tourism to workforce issues, Congress has an important role to play in the oversight and implementation of laws that affect our industry.”

Both associations recently voiced their support on the issue of protecting franchises after a U.S. District Court judge denied a bid by the International Franchise Association to block Seattle’s minimum-wage law. According to IFA and other supporting associations, the law, which raises the minimum wage in the city to $15 an hour, treats franchises the same as their corporate partners.

“As the nation’s second-largest private sector employer, the restaurant industry relies on the vision, innovation, and risk-taking of our startups and franchisees, and we will continue to fight against harmful decisions that threaten our members,” Angelo Amador, senior vice president of labor and workforce policy and regulatory counsel at NRA, said in a news release.

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